Attorney General Marty Jackley said more charges are on the way in connection to drug overdose death investigations in state prisons.
The DCI has investigated eight suspected overdose deaths this year. That’s higher than normal compared to recent years.
Two of those cases led to charges being filed against suspects accused of smuggling drugs into prison. In an interview with SDPB’s Lori Walsh, Jackley said he has authorized additional charges to be announced "in the coming weeks."
Jackley says there are several ways drugs can get in.
“That could be another inmate. It could be a private citizen doing it through a visit or other means. Or it could be corrections officials. Either a guard, medical staff — those kind of situations allow access of the drugs into the penitentiary facilities,” Jackley said.
Walsh asked Jackley if this is a problem among staff members.
"My position is yes," Jackley said. "We've had one current pending charge involving a correction officer that obviously was terminated. There are other investigations that point to prison staff being part of the process of getting drugs in."
Jackley said this is why he’s working with the lawmakers to strengthen laws to keep drugs out of prisons in the upcoming legislative session. He said he's seeking laws that bring "deterrent value" and "accountability."
